Transition Visits – Slow Start – Gradual Enrollment

January 30th, 2018

by Katrina Brooke

Whatever you want to call it, children and families need to time adjust! Our Transition plan for new or current students is to give them time to visit and get to know the new classroom and teachers before they begin. Each child is different and has different needs, so the partnership between teachers and parents is very important!

Our Recommendations for Transition

To transition to The Shyne School we like to have parents and children come for an hour to two hour visit in the morning 9:30 to 11:30 AM. During all transition visits parents need to stay at the school at all times. You are responsible for your child until they start on their first day. We recommend planning on being in the classroom with your child but also bring a book for the times you step out of the classroom.

While you are here:

We ask parents to step out for 5 to 10 minutes once your child has been here for 20 or 30 minutes and are involved in an activity.

Make sure you say good bye and that you will be right back.

Come back when you say. If this is a hard separation for your child you may need to come a few more times before the first day of school.

Talk with your child’s teacher about how the visit went and how many more visits to plan.

For children three and four we usually do a two hour visit once or twice before they start.

On Transition Visits…

Parents are able to guide the children through their day and help them key in on routines and transitions. The teacher may call the class by name or blow a train whistle and expect the children to come inside when they hear that. Parents are able to help their child by saying “did you hear the teacher say we are going inside when she blows the whistle? Let’s listen for it.” When parents stay and guide their children they also get to see the teacher and children interact and activities that happen at school. Children can tell when parents feel comfortable leaving. When children cry they are comforted by their teacher and a bond starts to form when children feel safe and loved. A transition to a new school can be harder for parents then for children sometimes. It can be very hard to leave when your child is crying. Parents are welcome to call after they have left to check on their child.

For Preschool and Pre-K, when children are older, they have usually learned to separate from their parents easier. If you find your child is having a hard time you may want to stay longer on the second visit.

We also open the play areas to families on the weekend. When children come and play outside it gives them a sense of familiarity with the school and can increase their comfort level.

For children that have difficult separations, you may want them to start with shorter days, and build up to longer days. If they are only registered for two days it can be helpful for an adult to stop by and visit with the child on a third day until they bond with the teachers and adjust to the school and can separating from parents.

We want to work with you so this is a positive experience for your whole family.